1. Best Built ... Because we build more high performance sailboats, that are pushed to the limit in tough conditions than anyone else in the world, J/28 construction exceeds ABS Standards and those of typical cruising boat builders. For example, the J/28 has a full-width laminated structural bulkhead which is taped on both sides to the hull and deck. The boat is structurally tied together and this bulkhead also anchors shroud chainplates. An external lead keel is bolted and epoxy-bonded to a fiberglass sump which is further reinforced by solid fiberglass transverse floor beams. The hull to deck joint is bonded then bolted on 4-inch centers. Both hull and deck are a Lloyd's approved Baltek Contourkore, end grain balsa FRP hand lamination. High strength and stiffness contribute to improved performance when pounding through waves and longer hull life because there's no oilcanning. J/28 has CoRezyn VE-8110 vinylester resin in the hull. It costs twice as much as what competitors use, but gives J/28 four times the blister resistance.

2. Best Insulated ...A big bonus for cruisers is the insulating property of Contourkore construction. The inside of the hull doesn't sweat when the cabin is warm and outside water or air temperature is cold! It also has better sound deadening capability ... for a good night's sleep.

3. Best Berths ...The two most comfortable berths for sleeping are amidships. Less noise from slapping waves. Less motion. More space to stretch. Easier to dress from. Padded backrests to roll onto. Perfect for the off-watch when sailing. J/28 has 61/4-foot long, 26-inch wide main berths with 5-inch foam cushions. The port settee berth converts to a 43" wide double, using backrest cushions as fillers. The forward V-berth cabin is "romper room" size. Almost 6 feet wide at the head with plenty of space and ventilation, changing headroom, hanging locker, and duffel storage area.

4. Best Ventilation & Light ...Six opening ports and three overhead opening hatches provide the J/28 with good cross-ventilation. Combined with the insulating properties of the cored deck, the coolest place on a hot summer day may be down below on a J/28 with all the ports open.

5. Best Sail & Deck Plan...It's important to have a large mainsail and small jibs when cruising. It's easier to shorten sail in an emergency (just drop or roll up the jib) and to maneuver in crowded harbors. Smaller jibs make sail handling and storage easier . J/28 is easier to sail than other 28-footers. Halyard controls are led back to the cockpit so two people can assist one another when hoisting or reefing sails. Controls for the mainsail and jib winches are within reach of the helmsman. If the crew errs when tacking the jib, the skipper can ease the main to compensate while also helping with the jib. It just doesn't work that smoothly when the main sheet is forward in the cockpit or on the cabin top out of reach. The bend of the tapered, keel-stepped mast is also adjustable to wind conditions: More bend to flatten the mainsail for strong wind, less bend to add power to the sail for light winds.

6. Best Cockpit ...Inspired by the J/40 complete with 40-inch destroyer wheel, T-shaped cockpit with foot supports, padded horseshoe ring seat, instrument pods, comfort and capacity. 3 people can sit outboard and around behind the wheel with another 4 on cockpit seats forward ... a total of 7 in a 28-footer! The angles and proportions of this cockpit are designed for optimum comfort either when sailing or at anchor.

It's important for the helmsman to sit at deck level out to the lifelines, rather than to be restricted to a low inboard cockpit seat. Being able to see the jib and waves, unobstructed by crew or cabin trunk, lets you sail better The kids, too. They can reach the wheel and see where they're going on a J/28.

7. Best Dodger ...Option If you can't install a good dodger that protects the front end of the cockpit, then it isn't a cruising boat. Others have mainsheet travelers running across the bridge deck just behind the companionway. The J/28's is aft. A key element in the J/28's cruising design is a narrow, seat-height, step-over bridge deck. That makes going below under a dodger easy.

8. Best Stability ...The J/28 is designed to perform with two people sitting in the cockpit, sailing to windward in 20 knots of wind. In fact, J/28 may be the fastest 28-footer in the world in those conditions. How? Well, if you don't have 6 gorillas on the rail (which you don't when cruising), you'd better have a HEAVY KEEL. J/28's 3,000-lb keel is lead, not iron.

9. Best Storage ...The J/28 has storage for duffels, bedroll and pillows behind the main settee berths. Where do you put those items (or 6 gear bags for that daysailing crew) on other 28-footers? It's amazing how much gear can be accumulated for cruising: inflatable dinghy with oars and outboard; cockpit awning and poles; life jackets; 2-3 extra sails plus storm trysail; charcoal and hibachi, etc., etc. This gear stores conveniently in the J/28s two huge cockpit lazarette lockers.

10. Best Investment ...J-Boats has the highest level of owner satisfaction in the business. No one else comes close. That's earned! By commitment to quality and performance. By exceptional factory warranties, by a professional dealer network, by development of owner class associations and newsletters, by J-World instructional opportunities, and by long term production runs that sustain resale value.